“Yes, I’m sure I could. In fact, I think I will volunteer my services to Leroy at dinner tonight.” She opened the fridge. “We’re planning a special meal to welcome him back from Bodega Bay. He should be home this evening, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy a home-cooked meal.”
“Right.” Brynna opened the second dishwasher drawer only to discover that although the soap was in the tray, it hadn’t been run yet. “Oh dear.” She closed it and turned it on.
“Trouble?”
“Well, the glasses in this one are still dirty.”
“And you don’t have enough there?”
“I don’t know. We’re expecting quite a crowd today. Garth says a bus from a senior center is coming.”
“Well, then, don’t let me keep you,” Judith said in a dismissive tone.
“Yes, I should get back out there. If you see Gina, can you ask her to bring the next load of glasses out when they’re finished?” Brynna peered curiously at Judith. “Or maybe you’d like to lend a hand since you’re interested in helping with wine tastings.”
“Oh, no, not today. I don’t do well with old people. Besides, I have too much to do to get ready for our dinner.”
Brynna just nodded. Then, with the loaded basket in hand, she made a swift exit. Why did that woman always seem to rub her the wrong way? At least she now knew that Leroy wasn’t even in the vineyard today. She felt a mixture of relief and regret as she set out the glasses. On one hand, she would be less stressed during the tasting. But on the other hand, it would’ve been nice to just get the unavoidable meeting over with.
As she set up the tasting room, even arranging some small bouquets of lavender, poppies, and a few other things in glass canning jars, which she set on tables, she tried to forget about Judith. Focusing instead on the guests who were about to arrive and thinking of ways to help them enjoy their visit, she was surprised to hear the hiss of the bus’s brakes, followed by the cheerful chatter of people outside the barn. She went out to greet them, graciously ushering the guests into the barn. As she led them inside, she started out just the way Garth would, telling the story of how the Sorrentino family first came to this country by boat. “The clipper ship was called theGeneral Harrison—” She was cut off by an elderly woman’s exclamation that her ancestors arrived on that very same ship. “Perhaps they were friends with the Sorrentinos,” Brynna told her. The woman laughed, and Brynna felt she was off to a good start.
Chapter 23
As anxious as Leroy was to get home, Jason had waylaid him by insisting he attend a brunch with some attorney associates. “We often bring in guests. It’s a great way to connect. And an opportunity to promote your vineyard,” Jason assured him. “Plus, you’ll make me look good. My buddies will be impressed that I have a friend who owns a vineyard.” Leroy wasn’t too sure about that, but before the brunch ended, he handed out business cards and actually took two orders.
But it was after three by the time he got home and, judging by the bus parked near the barn, he knew the tasting room was occupied. He also knew that Garth was out making a delivery, so he surmised that Bree was probably playing host in there. This might be his chance to see the office manager in action and make her acquaintance.
“Hey, Dad.” Gina came out of the house carrying a basket of wineglasses. “How was your trip?”
“Good. I even took orders for a few more cases while I was up there.”
“Maybe you should hit the road more often.” She nodded toward the barn. “I better get these in there. It’s a big crowd today, and Bree might run short.”
“Let me take them for you.” He reached for the basket.
Gina’s brows arched. “Have you met her yet?”
“Not yet.” He grinned.
“Well, let me know what you think of her, okay?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Just curious.”
“Don’t you like her?”
“Sure, I like her. She’s great, but I’m—” Her words were cut off by Judith calling to her from the porch. “Oh, yeah,” she said quickly. “Judith’s planning a special welcome home dinner for you tonight. You better not miss it either.”
He grimaced. “Yeah, well, I better get these glasses to Bree.” As he headed for the barn, he wondered if there was any way to escape Judith’s special dinner ... and if there was any way for Gina to send her “working guests” packing. He had a feeling Gina was nearly as weary of them as he was. He pushed open the door with his elbow and stepped into the shadowy barn. It really was a good-sized crowd. It looked like a group of older folks, but judging by one of the guest’s comments, which was followed by laughter, they were a cheerful crowd.
He paused behind the group clustered around the front counter, listening as a white-haired woman inquired about the volume of bottles produced annually. He was pleased to hear Bree answer correctly.
“I know this for a fact,” she told them, “because I’ve just finished doing a complete inventory.” She began to break the sales off into percentages of wine types, but something about her voice got his attention. It was as if he’d heard it before.
He circled around the edge of the crowd, hoping to get a glimpse of this mysterious woman. He stepped past a tall man and, about to set the basket on the corner of the counter, he saw her. Leroy stared then blinked then stared again. In disbelief he released the basket, which was not fully on the counter. It dropped to the floor in a loud crash of broken glass.
Everyone turned toward him—includingBrynna. Although she looked as shocked as he felt, she seemed to recover quickly.
